Does hibiscus tea help you sleep well? How to consume it? Does it have risks and side effects? What are the other benefits? And finally, what other herbal teas can be recommended to help you sleep well at night?
I. What Is Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a plant widely used in regions where the heat is pressing to calm thirst.
However, a tea of this beautiful plant can be used to remedy various ailments, including digestive and even muscular.
Gardeners are very familiar with hibiscus and appreciate them for their spectacular flowering, adaptability, and resilience.
More than 150 species of hibiscus are known, distributed preferably in the intertropical and subtropical regions of the world. They belong to the family Malvaceae, the same family that includes mallows and cotton.
Note that the benefits of hibiscus tea, apart from sleeping well, are innumerable and scientific studies have not yet identified all its possibilities.
II. Does hibiscus tea help you sleep
Hibiscus tea does not contain caffeine, and the sleep-inducing effects of hibiscus may be due to its anxiolytic and sedative properties.
Reducing stress and anxiety puts your body in a relaxed state, making it easier to fall asleep when the time comes.
1. Does Hibiscus Tea Make You Sleepy?
Hibiscus tea is an infusion that is known for its sleep-inducing properties. According to a study, drinking hibiscus tea regularly before going to sleep can improve the quality of sleep.
This is probably due to the presence of significant quantities of melatonin in hibiscus tea, a hormone produced by the pineal gland.
2. How Do You Make Hibiscus Tea?
a) Using Dried Hibiscus Flowers
Simply add dried hibiscus flowers to a teapot and pour boiling water over them.
Let it steep for five minutes, then strain, sweeten if you wish, and enjoy.
Hibiscus tea can be consumed hot or cold and has a tart taste similar to cranberries.
For this reason, it is often sweetened with honey or flavored with a splash of lime juice to balance the tartness.
Dried hibiscus can be purchased at your local health food store or online. Hibiscus tea is also available in pre-made tea bags, which can simply be soaked in hot water, removed, and enjoyed.
b) Using Fresh Hibiscus Flowers
Pick fresh hibiscus flowers. Pull all the petals from the flowers. …
Boil the kettle and add boiling water to the fresh petals. …
Remove all the yellow petals. …
You can drink the infusion hot or cold. …
Add freshly squeezed lemon and see how the color magically changes to a beautiful pink!
Drink and enjoy!
3. When Is the Best Time to Drink Hibiscus Tea for Sleep?
Take one dose of the tea before bedtime, half an hour before, and 2 or 3 cups throughout the day.
Hibiscus contains thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin C, which prevent cramps.
By drinking this type of infusion, you are naturally filling your body with these several rich nutrients.
III. Other Health Benefits of Hibiscus
1. Lower High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a disease that affects nearly half of all adults worldwide, leading to serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.
Clinical trials have shown that consumption of hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure and greatly reduces the risk of all adjacent diseases.
However, more scientific studies are needed to confirm this positive effect of hibiscus flowers.
2. May Improve Liver Health
According to several studies, hibiscus helps to keep the liver healthy. The extract protects the liver from various toxins, probably due to its potent antioxidant activity.
It has even been shown to have some anti-cancer activity in laboratory tests on liver cells.
3. Rich in Antioxidants
The hibiscus plant is rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and anthocyanin. Foods rich in antioxidants have a beneficial effect on a wide range of health problems.
Antioxidants destroy harmful molecules called free radicals in your body. Free radicals damage cells and contribute to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
While your body uses its antioxidants to fight free radical damage, foods rich in antioxidants can also play a role in preventing disease.
4. May Relieve Menstrual Pain
Hibiscus flower, like chamomile, is one of the flowers that have been used for centuries to relieve some physical problems such as menstrual pain.
In addition to helping relieve painful cramps during menstruation, it can also help regulate them. You see, hibiscus affects your estrogen levels which can induce menstruation.
5. May Help Lower Bad Cholesterol
High cholesterol is another health problem that affects millions of adults and contributes to serious illnesses like heart attack and stroke.
While some clinical studies have shown that hibiscus lowers cholesterol levels, others have shown little effect. In any case, hibiscus flowers are not harmful to the metabolism.
6. May Boost the Immune System
Hibiscus contains high levels of vitamin C as well as antibacterial properties.
These elements combine to provide a solid foundation of health and thus strengthen your overall immune system to protect you against, for example, the flu or the common cold.
7. Good for Digestion and Urination
Diuretics increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body in the form of urine.
Hibiscus tea has been shown to act as a natural diuretic, removing salt from the body, which is a mechanism by which blood pressure is reduced.
IV. Side Effects & Drug Interaction with Hibiscus Tea
According to specialists, overconsumption of hibiscus tea can sometimes induce health problems related to the liver.
But if its consumption remains moderate, it would have no negative effect on health.
Note that like most strong herbal teas, it is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Also, this infusion can have interactions with certain medicines and it is preferable to ask your doctor for advice, in case of taking medicines, to prevent possible risks of interactions.
And according to some specialists, which remains to be confirmed, the regular intake of hibiscus tea can reduce the effects of the contraceptive pill.
V. Other Teas That May Help You Find Sleep
1. Chamomile
It is made from the flowers of chamomile, a plant often used to promote sleep due to its sedative effects.
An analysis showed that chamomile safely improved the quality of sleep, but did not have a significant effect on insomnia.
2. Valerian Root
Valerian is a flowering plant used as an herbal infusion or dietary supplement.
The dried roots of the plant are used to make valerian tea, which is sometimes used as a natural sleep aid and can be highly effective in inducing sleep quickly.
3. Peppermint
Peppermint tea is fairly well known to be beneficial for sleep, and can even help insomniacs sleep longer and get better quality sleep.
The peppermint tea is caffeine-free and has relaxing properties that can help reduce tension in your muscles.
4. Rose Hips
Sometimes people can experience disruptions in their sleep patterns when taking rosehip tea.
This can take the form of fatigue or weakness during the day, or an inability to fall asleep at night.
If you have problems falling asleep, try this tea, but if you have any problems, talk to your doctor. Sometimes it can work in just the opposite way to what it was intended.
5. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm can help relieve insomnia and other sleep disorders. The combination of lemon balm and valerian can help relieve restlessness and sleep disturbances such as multiple awakenings during the night.
Researchers in a 2006 study found that children who took a combined dose had a 70 to 80 percent improvement in symptoms.
VI. Other Questions About Hibiscus Tea and Sleep
1. Does Hibiscus Tea Cause Sometimes Insomnia?
No, hibiscus tea does not cause insomnia. It is exactly the opposite: it helps you sleep better.
2. Can You Drink Hibiscus Tea Every Day?
While drinking hibiscus tea is not harmful to your health, it is best not to overuse it.
Research on hibiscus tea is still insufficient, so it is recommended to limit its consumption to 2 or 3 cups a day and to take breaks for a few days after a certain period of consumption.
3. Does hibiscus reduce belly fat?
Hibiscus tea can be an effective herbal remedy for weight loss. It has been shown to have the potential to prevent weight gain, promote the burning of belly fat and reduce fat absorption. Hibiscus may also reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
4. Is Hibiscus Tea Good for Hair Growth?
Hibiscus tea is an excellent source of vitamin C, which stimulates collagen production in your body.
Since collagen is a vital element for hair growth and good skin health, drinking this tea will positively make your hair healthier and stronger.
5. Does Hibiscus Tea Cause Hallucinations?
To date, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that hallucinations associated with hibiscus tea are real.
So, no: any reported cases of hallucinations are probably anecdotal. Researchers have not studied this side effect or why people claim to experience these symptoms.
Useful Links:
Effect of hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension
